“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost.  That is where they should be.  Now put the foundations under them.  ~Henry David Thoreau

 

How do you position yourself for greater success from the get-go whether you are starting a new business or expanding your business? Three basic, yet essential things are required: studying, planning and taking action. If you were making bread and left out the yeast your bread would not rise. All the ingredients are necessary for making the bread. The same goes for positioning yourself for the business success you desire.

 

Let’s take a closer look at the first ingredient this week. It is astounding how often entrepreneurs hire people who are unfamiliar with their industry and particular needs without first doing their own homework.

 

Studying/Research (do your own homework!)

 

This assumes you have a vision for your business or the next level of your success and have made a decision to succeed. You are in love with your vision and ready for implementing it. You decide to hire an expert to get it done quicker because you have heard that you need to delegate tasks you are not good at. Hold on! Although delegation is important at various stages and especially so you can work in your zone of genius, you will want to do your homework first. Even if you were to hire “experts” to help you in the implementation, if you did not know enough about the subject you are hiring them for you could not evaluate accurately if the expert advise was pertinent to your business. You must know something about what you are implementing. This does not mean you must become the expert; you just need to know what you want to accomplish and study your options. Otherwise, you could be lead astray by people who do not know your industry or are not savvy. This could cost money, time and test your perseverance.

 

Example 1: You are a Certified Coach/Consultant. You are forming your business or changing the legal status of your business. You must be aware of the options to protect yourself legally before you hire a lawyer or speak to an accountant about what works best for your situation. Does an LLC, S corp., or another legal entity work best for your business and expansion goals? Many lawyers and accountants do not know about the coaching industry. You will want to ask the professional you are considering hiring about their qualifications and knowledge about your industry.

 

Example 2: Your business requires sales for you to be successful…without sales you have a hobby and not a business. You know this yet do not really enjoy this part of the business. You must become proficient and comfortable “selling” your products or services before hiring someone to sell for you. You must understand sales firsthand before you turn it over to another or you will be unable to train them about your ideal client, or to understand results. In personal service businesses it may not work at all because your ideal consumer must know, like and trust you. Studying and becoming proficient in sales is a skill set and mindset shift you can make with proper instruction, guidance and practice.

 

Once you have the basics under your belt you may need support in applying what you are learning, especially when you are learning something new and want to implement it correctly to begin with. Working with a mentor or a coach can cut your learning curve considerably. They can also suggest experts or other professionals when needed.

 

This week ask yourself, “What else is there for me to understand and know about my business?” Ignorance is not bliss! What do I choose to study to position myself for greater success?

 

To Effective Positioning!

Valerie

 

P.S.  If you would like more support in applying these principles, give us a call.  In between our speaking and coaching engagements, we carve out a few individualized sessions each month. Schedule your appointment here.